OUTDOOR ADVENTURES THIS WINTER IN THE HILLTOWNS
What a snow storm! Think about all the fun outdoor adventures your kids will have this weekend either skiing, sledding or snowshoeing. Which reminds me to remind you about the upcoming afternoon program this winter, Outdoor Adventures for Kids in the Hilltowns. Hilltown Families (that’s us!) has collaborated with Tekoa Mountain Outdoors to offer a ten week Monday afternoon (4pm-5pm) adventure program for kids ages 5-7 at the TMO Base Camp in Chesterfield, MA, starting January 7th and ending March 31st, 2008. Led by Program Coordinator, Timothy Vogel of Tekoa Mountain Outdoors. If you’re interested in participating be sure to sign up soon. Click here for more information.
We wanted to thank this week’s Suggested Events sponsor, Lui Collins (see banner below) and to let readers know that she is now offering a kids movement class for older kids, ages 5-7, called Kids’ Jam. My daughter was in her class this fall and loved it! Click on the banner to discover more about this new program and her other programs too.
Become a Sponsor 
To find out how you or your business can help support Hilltown Families by becoming a sponsor, drop us an email or give us a call at 413.296.0096 for more information. We’re offering very reasonable rates throughout the holiday season. By having individuals in our community and area businesses become sponsors, Hilltown Families can continue to offer a weekly list of suggested events, a weekly podcast, updated resources, articles and much more.
If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, or would like to submit your event to the Hilltown Families calendar of Suggested Events, email Sienna at swildfield@juno.com. Comments are warmly welcomed!
Local forecast | Get directions | Free Museum Passes | School Closings & Delays
Events Happening in the Hilltowns
Saturday 12/15
8am – FAMILY RADIO – While traveling around town, tune-in to WXOJ 103.3 FM in Northampton, MA, from 8-10am to hear fabulous family-friendly music on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. [All ages] (Free)
9:30am-11:30am – MOTHER’S GROUP – Mocha Moms, a nationwide support group for stay at-home mothers (part time and full time) of color, will be meeting at the Forbes Library in Northampton, MA. [Mother’s] (Free)
10:30pm – GINGERBREAD HOUSE – Come make gingerbread houses at the Granby Library in Granby, MA. 413.467.3320[Families] (Free)
1pm – VICTORIAN HOLIDAYS – A Victorian Holiday Craft Celebration will be held at the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke, MA. Come make Victorian holiday crafts, including lanterns and cards. 413.322.5660 [Families] (Free)
3pm – WORLD DANCE – The Nataraj Dancers will be doing a holiday performance of Indian dances at the Forbes Library Community Room in Northampton, MA. 413.587.1011 [Families] (Free)
3:30pm – WORLD DANCE – A Balkan Dance Party will happen at the Whately Dance Barn in Haydenville, MA. Dance workshop begins at 3:30pm. Potluck supper at 6pm. Dance party at 7:30pm 413.549.6748 [Families] ($)
5pm-8pm – HOLIDAY HAYRIDES – Look Park in Florence, MA, is offering a tour of their holiday lights display on a horse drawn hayride. [Families] (>$)
7pm – YOUTH THEATRE – Youth Theatre Ensemble presents The Reluctant Dragon at the Northampton Center for the Arts in Northampton, MA. A tale about a peace-loving dragon who prefers tea parties, poetry & afternoon naps over fire-breathing and destructions. 413.584.7327 [Ages 2 & up] ($)
7pm – SOLSTICE CELEBRATION – A Winter Solstice Celebration will be happening at the Center for Cultural Evolution in Colrain, MA. Music, stories, theater. 413.624.5140 [Families] (Donation)
Sunday 12/16
Noon-4pm – HOLIDAY EVENT – Come watch families make gingerbread trains at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA. At 2pm there will be a viewing of the Polar Express. Refreshments. [Families] (Free w/admission)
12:30pm-2:30pm – HOLIDAY PARTY – ArtStar in Haydenville, MA, invites families to come make holiday crafts. Music and refreshements. 413.896.3709 [Families] ($$)
2pm – YOUTH THEATRE – Youth Theatre Ensemble presents The Reluctant Dragon at the Northampton Center for the Arts in Northampton, MA. A tale about a peace-loving dragon who prefers tea parties, poetry & afternoon naps over fire-breathing and destructions. 413.584.7327 [Ages 2 & up] ($)
2:30pm – WORLD MUSIC – Musical inspirations from Mexico with Professor David Witten at the Meekins Library in Williamsburg, MA. 413.268.7472 [Families] (Free)
3pm-5pm – FAMILY DANCE – A family dance will be happening in Northampton, MA, at the First Churches of Northampton, MA. All dances taught to live music. 413.549.78708 [Ages 3 & up] ($$)
4pm – CAROLING – The annual Village Hill Carolers Christmas Sing will be taking place in the center of Williamsburg, MA. Refreshments. [Families] (Free)
5pm-6:30pm – COMMUNITY SING – Penny Schultz will led a community sing at Earthdance in Plainfield, MA. Followed by a community potluck. [Families] ($, kids free)
6:30pm – HOLIDAY BALLET – The Nutcracker Story will be performed by the Academy of Ballet Arts at the Northampton Center for the Arts in Northampton, MA. 413.586.8493 [Families] ($)
Monday 12/17
2pm-5pm – COOKING WITH KIDS – Whole Foods in Hadley, MA, has kid-friendly demos every Monday in December. 413.586.9932 [Families] (Free)
7:30pm – HOLIDAY BALLET – The Great Russian Nutcracker will be performed by the Moscow Ballet at the UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall in Amherst, MA. 413.545.2511. [Families] ($$$)
Tuesday 12/18
10:30am – STORYTELLING – Children’s entertainer John Porcino will be at the Northampton Center for the Arts in Northampton, MA. 413.584.7327 [Families] (>$)
7pm – FAMILY RADIO – Tune-in between bath and bedtime to the Hilltown Families very own radio show, the Hilltown Family Variety Show, on WXOJ LP 103.3 FM, Valley Free Radio out of Northampton, MA. www.valleyfreeradio.org. Holiday episode. [Families] (Free)
Wednesday 12/19
9pm – PARENT COFFEE BREAK – After dropping the kids off at school or their homeschool program, drop into Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA. Not only do they have great coffee, they have a fantastic breakfast menu too. Connect with other parents. If you’d rather do some work, bring your laptop (they have wireless!) and let them bring you coffee! To find out what’s happen over at Elmer’s, read Notes from Nan, a weekly update posted here on Hilltown Families. [Parents] ($/Free)
4pm-8pm – COOKIES WITH SANTA – Meet Santa for cookies at the garden House at Look Park in Florence, MA. Hayrides to follow. 413.584.5457 [Families] ($)
Thursday 12/20
5:30pm – READ TO DOGS – The Meekins Library in Williamsburg, MA, will be resuming their special program Reading to Dogs. Animals are ideal nonjudgemental reading companions that are less intimidating than peers. Children sign up for 20minute slots. All dogs are registered therapy pets. 413.268.7472 [Ages 6 & up] (Free)
Open till 8pm – LOCAL LIBRARY – Did you know the Meekins Library in Williamsburg, MA, stays open until 8pm every Thursday? A great thing to have as the winter months approach. Take the kids in their PJ’s and spend time at the library before bed time reading stories or getting help with homework. [Everyone] (Free)
7pm-8:15pm – SOLSTICE CELEBRATION – The Hartsbrook School will be holding their Annual Solstice Pageant at the Helen Hills Chapel in Northampton, MA. 413.586.1908 [Families] (Free)
Friday 12/21
11am-12:50pm – HOME SCHOOL ICE SKATING – Mullins Center at the University of MA in Amherst, MA, is starting up a Home School (Ice) Skates. Ice skate rentals are free and accompanying parents are free. The Mullins Cafe will be open serving coffee and assorted foods. [Ages 5 & up] (>$)
5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, invites community members to come together to share dinner and conversation every Friday evening. Click here for menu 413.628.4003 [Families] ($)
5pm-8pm – HOLIDAY HAYRIDES – Look Park in Florence, MA, is offering a tour of their holiday lights display on a horse drawn hayride. [Families] (>$)
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Here’s some happenings in Williamstown & Cheshire too
Williams College, Kids Night Fridays fundraiser, featuring activities, games, and fun with Williams College track and field student-athletes, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Cost: $12. Towne Field House, Williamstown. Info: 413-597-2447.
Cheshire Elementary School, annual holiday concert with David Grover, includes visits with Santa, non-perishable food items will be accepted, sponsored by Cheshire Police Association, 6:30 p.m. Church Street, Cheshire.